TSC Subsea deploys ORCA for in-service hull inspection
20 March 2026
09 May 2025
TSC Subsea has secured another multi-year contract in Brazil with a leading operator for Subsea Phased Array (SPA) inspection of circumferential welds on rigid subsea pipelines. The scope includes both flowline and riser sections at depths reaching 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). The contract, running from 2025 to 2027, ensures the delivery of continuous subsea inspection services throughout the term.
Phased Array Ultrasonics (PAUT) is widely recognised for its effectiveness in topside weld inspection and its accuracy in detecting and sizing cracks and defects. TSC Subsea has now adapted this proven technique for ultra-deepwater environments, helping ensure the integrity of these critical subsea assets.
Combined with TSC Subsea's advanced robotic systems, purpose-built for ultra-deepwater operations, they deliver a highly reliable Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) solution for weld integrity assessments.
“Having demonstrated the strength of our advanced NDT solution - proven to be the most reliable and efficient - this contract stands as a strong vote of confidence in our team, our technology, and our capability to perform in the most challenging subsea environments,” said David Melo, Sales Manager at TSC Subsea. “We’re proud to support our client with consistent, repeatable weld inspection services that meet the highest industry standards.”
The rigorous qualification process involved multiple Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and approval stages, including technology and scanner trials in a pressure chamber to simulate ultra-deepwater conditions, as well as 10 and 12-inch test samples, each with multiple hidden defects, which were covered with DNVGL-RP-F102 pipeline field joint coating.
TSC Subsea has made significant investments in Brazil over the years, building a strong presence in the region with a focus on developing the best local talent. That commitment is now paying off, with local expertise and infrastructure playing a key role in securing and delivering this contract.
This award further validates how the company's remotely deployed robotic solutions enable accurate and dependable subsea asset integrity assessments. With world-class NDT technologies, advanced robotic scanners, and a highly experienced team of NDT specialists, TSC Subsea is leading the way in subsea inspection innovations, paving the way for safer and more sustainable operations across the industry.
TSC Subsea Limited
TSC Subsea is a technology-enabled inspection vendor that specializes in solving the most challenging subsea NDT inspections anywhere in the world. Whether inspection needs relate to subsea pipelines, FPSOs or offshore platforms, the company provides advanced engineering solutions, custom designs, mock-up testing and inspection services to ensure successful work programs on site. TSC Subsea also provides unique services around its proprietary Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM®) technology where, for instance, the ability to accurately depth size cracking defects produces information required for engineering decisions that enable the protection and lifespan extension of marine assets. TSC Subsea is headquartered in Milton Keynes, UK, and operates globally in key subsea markets.
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